The Cleveland Guardians and the New York Yankees meet Monday in game 5 of the ALDS MLB playoffs action from Yankee Stadium. This will be the finale in a five-game American League Divisional Series. After losing two of the first three, on Sunday New York evened it up with a two-run win that will force a decisive game five. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Cleveland took a 4-1 loss in the opener of this series, but then bounced back for victories Friday 4-2 and Saturday 6-5. In the Sunday game, the Guardians had a couple of runs in the early innings but ultimately fell short on a 4-2 loss. Starter Cal Quantrill managed 5.0 innings with three earned on four hits and a walk. 

For the starter gig Monday, the Guardians will send out Aaron Civale. In 20 starts during the regular season, Civale put up a 5-6 record with a 4.92 ERA. In 97.0 innings he had 98 Ks. 

Over on the Yankees’ side, they had a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth Saturday but couldn’t hang on. On Sunday in the victory, New York got a couple of runs on a Harrison Bader homer in the second frame. Gerrit Cole gave up two earned in 7.0 innings on six hits and one walk. 

As starting pitcher Monday, New York is sending out Jameson Taillon. Over 32 starts this regular season Taillon managed a 14-5 record with a 3.91 ERA and 151 Ks in 177.1 innings. 

The Guardians are 8-0 in their last eight after a loss and 21-6 in their last 27 road games. Cleveland is 8-1 in their last nine road games versus a right-handed starter. 

Meanwhile, the Yankees are 56-20 in their last 76 versus the AL Central and 10-4 in their last 14 Monday games. New York is 1-4 in their last five overall. 

PICK: I might take a stab on Cleveland. You could make a great case either way here, though. This is looking like it’ll be mostly a bullpen game, and both teams will pull out all the proverbial stops. The starters should be gone after a few innings unless they’re cruising; after that it will be up to the relievers to bring it home for either side. The Guardians’ pen is relatively deep and well-rested right now. They’ll have a lot of options on the mound, and that should help manage the Yankees hitters if everything goes according to plan. Should be a great matchup and another close game regardless.